Stand Up Pouches for Product Packaging

What is Flexographic Printing?

Written by David Marinac | Oct 19, 2013 6:20:00 PM

At StandUpPouches.net, we do rotogravure printing. However, we also have flexography as an alternative for businesses who want it for any reason. There are advantages and disadvantages of using flexography on flexible pouches.

Flexographic printing is a rotary based technique. In flexography, ink is applied to a plastic surface through flexible rubber or polymer plates. This printing uses quick-to-dry inks. The inks dry through evaporation.

How does flexography work?

It works by imprinting lettering and imagery on the surface of a stand up pouch. The letters and images are engraved onto flexible rubber or polymer plates. They are engraved in the form of tiny indentations. Ink is rolled onto the plates which in turn are joined with letterpress cylinders. The small indentations in the plates hold the ink. The ink is transferred to plastic or other printing surface when it comes into contact with the inked plates.

A big advantage of using flexographic printing is the time it takes to make custom printed flexible pouches. It is quicker to make custom stand up bags with flexography than with rotogravure printing. Another big advantage of the technique is that it has been tried and tested. It has been around since the late 19th century. It has evolved a lot in during the 20th century. Thirteen years into the 21st century, and it remains a popular printing technique.